Pooping and peeing all over!

[Jeffman]

We are the proud owners of a 7-month-old Flemish Gaint Bunny named Oliver! Oliver is a free-roaming little trouble maker. We had him fixed at 5 months. Oliver’s home is the largest dog cage where his litter box, food dish, water dish, stuff bear and assorted chew toys. About 2 weeks after getting fixed he started peeing on the couch where I set. Reading on the Googles we figured it was the top bunny thing. A day or two later he was really lethargic and not eating. We rushed him to the vets where they diagnosed him with GASTROINTESTINAL STASIS. After special food, antibiotic shots and shots for the gas he became better. But now the little brat ( and I say that with love) he is peeing and pooping all over the place! He still uses his litter box, which is a medium size cement mixing tray with pine pellets. But he likes to pee and poops outside his cage. And sometimes on the carpeting and kitchen rug. Does anybody have a clue on what might be happening to the little rascal? 

Thanks!

[DanaNM]

Hi there, welcome

Hmmm, I’m thinking a couple things might help. First would be restricting his space, possibly to his crate plus an x-pen (or two!), and make sure the only soft things are in his litter box. Sometimes when buns have too much space too quickly they decide the litter box is too far away. Having him in a smaller area might help him get organized. Making the litter box as enticing as possible with lots of fluffy hay can also help.

Also, buns often like to pee on soft things, and things that smell strongly of humans. The couch and rugs might fit this category.

The timing of everything also makes me think it might be related to his neuter somehow. 5 months is a bit young (usually males are neutered at 6 months), so is there a chance that his neuter was incomplete?

When he pees, is it large puddles, or dribbles? And when he poops, is it large piles, or single pellets around? Large puddles and piles signals that he just doesn’t feel like going to his box. Small poops left around is more territorial. Dribbles of pee could be a urinary infection or some other medical issue. I had a bun with dental issues that had TERRIBLE litter box habits. Pain can manifest in a range of ways!

So, I know that was a lot, but I would start by restricting his space and see if that helps. If it seems like something medical might be contributing, have a rabbit savvy vet examine him.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Jeffman]

Thanks for the advise, will try it out! When he pees it’s puddles and poops its a lot. #ifbunnypoopwasgold

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